Metallothionein and Fas (CD95) are expressed in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
Metallothionein (MT) is a chelator present in myoepithelial cells, whilst the Fas-receptor (APO-1, CD95) has been described primarily in human T Jurkat cells. 20 cases of carcinoma of the tongue were investigated immunocytochemically with regard to MT, Fas and Bcl-2. In normal oral squamous epithelium, MT is located in the basal/parabasal dividing cells only. In well-differentiated nests of carcinomas, MT is observed almost entirely in peripherally located cells. In situ end-labelling indicates apoptosis in the centre of these nests, but not in the peripheral areas. Less-differentiated areas show more general MT-positivity, but little apoptosis. All 24 tumours are Fas-positive, but normal epithelia are mainly negative (P < 0.0001). Bcl-2 protein was sparse in the tumours compared with MT and Fas (P < 0.0001). We thus suggest that MT, possibly due to its chelating properties, may contribute to delaying cells entering apoptosis, both in normal epithelium near the base and in less-differentiated regions of carcinoma. Moreover, Fas may be present in cells of human malignancies, as well as those of established malignant cell lines.
Sundelin
K
K
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
Jadner
M
M
Norberg-Spaak
L
L
Davidsson
A
A
Hellquist
H B
HB
D017209:Apoptosis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism*
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D019014:fas Receptor; D008668:Metallothionein